GRENADA-BORN horticulturist Andre de Caires, the self-proclaimed “face” of the cannabis movement in St Lucia says the cannabis industry has the potential to generate more than EC$300 million for the local economy and make a substantial contribution to St Lucia’s gross domestic product.

In his statement, de Caires said it seemed that the debate was coming to a head as Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony had announced his intention to establish a commission to investigate the pros and cons of decriminalization.

But he said that as a result of being the face of the cannabis movement, he was personally being approached by supporters as well as detractors and “being heavily ridiculed by the latter.”

The agricultural advocate observed how foreign aid was declining and tourism, which he said represented a trickle down economic model where money was first received at the top and then used to pay wages, simply did not reach the masses that needed it the most.

By contrast, he went on, monies generated from agriculture represented a filter up economic model where the masses received the money first and then those monies entered the economic system when these masses purchase goods and services.

“This is a much more sustainable economic model for Small Island Developing States such as ours”, de Caires argued.

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